Road marker



NOV. 1, 1932. J R OBRIEN' 1,885,941

ROAD MARKER Filed Aug. 10. 1928 [NVEZYTOR J Raymond OBr/en.

ATTORN Patented Nov. 1, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JAMES RAYMONDTO RUBBER PRODUCTS O'BRIEN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNEASSIGNMENTS,

CORPORATION, OF DOVER, DELAWARE ROAD MARKER Application filed August 10,1928. Serial No. 298,713.

This invention relates to improvements in road markers particularlyadapted, though not necessarily limited in its use, as a center linemarker and expansion joint or weakness strip embedded in the pavement orroad substantially flush with the top thereof, and which is adapted toyield to compensate the expansion of the pavement or road and therebyprevent the pavement from cracking or becoming damaged.

A further object is to provide an improved resilient marker of thischaracter which may be constructed of any suitable material such asrubber or the like, which is capable of withstanding considerableabrasion and Wear.

A further object is to provide an improved marker of this characterhaving embedded or incorporated therein a suitable reinforcing means,and which reinforcing means may project laterally beyond the marker ormay depend below the bottom thereof or both, and which projectingportions are embedded in the pavement beyond the marker.

A further object is to provide an improved marker of this characterhaving in the eX- posed surface thereof recesses or cups to form suctioncreating portions to assist in increasing any sliding friction createdupon the top of the marker.

To the attainment of these ends and the accomplishment of other new anduseful objects as will appear, the invention consists in the features ofnovelty in substantially the construction, combination and arrangementof the several parts hereinafter more fully described and claimed andshown in the accompanying drawing illustrating this invention, and inwhich Figure 1 1s a top plan view of a port1on of a pavement or roadhaving a marker or dividing strip constructed in accordance with theprinciples of this invention embedded therein.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 of another shape of strip.

Figure 3 is a detail sectional view taken on line 33, Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the marker I shown in Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a side elevation of the marker shown in Figure 5.

Figure 7 is an enlarged detail sectional view of the marker shown inFigure 3.

The marker consists essentially of a body portion which may be of anydesired size and configuration and constructed of any suitable resilientmaterial such as rubber or the like which will withstand considerableabrasion and wear.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures 3 and 4, the markerconsists of a body portion 10 which is preferably conveXed or crowned onits upper surface as at 11, and in said surface may be provided anydesired number of recesses or cupshaped portions 12 opening through theupper face thereof.

Depending from the body portion 10 is an extension 13 which is of awidth considerably less than the width of the body portion so as topreferably form a substantially T shaped marker element.

Embedded within the body portion 10 is a reinforcing member 14 which maybe constructed of any suitable material such as metal or the like whichis reticulated or may be expanded metal. In this form of the inventionthe reinforcing means 14 terminates short of the lateral edges of thebody 10.

Arranged within the depending portion 13 is another reinforcing element15 which may be of similar construction to the reinforcing element 14and this element 15 .is spaced from the lateral faces of the dependingportion 13.

If desired the portion 13 may be provided with one or more apertures 16therethrough which also pass through the reinforcing element 15, andanchor members 17 may be provided to pass through the openings 16 and toproject for a considerable distance beyond the lateral faces of theportion 13.

The marker thus constructed may be of any desired length and is adaptedto be embedded in the road bed or pavement 18 so that the upper surface11 thereof will be disposed in close proximity to the upper surface 19of the pavement.

In the form of the invention shown in Figure 5, the body portion 20 isconstructed similar to the body portion 10 in the form shown in Figure3. Depending from the body portion 20 is an extension 21 which may be ofany desired length and width, but is preferably considerably narrowerthan the width of the body portion 10.

Secured to the depending portion 21 a base 22 which projects laterallybeyond the sides of the portion 21 so that the marker in this form ofthe invention will be of a substantially I shape. The reinforcing member23 which is embedded in the body portion 20 is of substantially the'sameconstruction as the reinforcing element 14 in the form shown in Figure3, and the reinforcing element 24 which is arranged in=the dependingportion 20 is similar to the reinforcing element 15,

but the element 24 preferably projects be=:

yond the base of the portion 22 as at 25.

Another reinforcing element 26 is arranged within the base 22 andprojects beyond the ends thereof, and the projecting portions of thereinforcing element 26 and the portion 25 of the reinforcing element 24are adapted to be embedded in the road bed 18 so as to serve as anadditional anchoring means. An anchor element 17 is also provided topass through an opening 27 in the depending portion 21. As shown inFigure 7, the body portion of the marker 28 has a depending portion 29,

and reinforcing elements 30 and 31 are respectively embedded in the bodyportion and the depending portion so that the extremities of thereinforcing elements respectively project beyond the ends of theportions 28 and 29 to, be embedded in the pavement.

The anchor and body portion may also'be constructed of any suitablematerial preferably resilient material such as rubber or 'thelike or anyother material which will with stand considerable wear, and which willyield to the expansion of'the pavement so as to prevent injury to thepavement.

By'the provision of the crowned top and the recesses or cups, means willbe provided to create suction with an object passing over the marker soas to increase the friction and prevent sliding action upon the marker.

At the same time the crowned top will insure the tops of the markerbeing kept clean so that it will be visible at all times.

the width of the body, said body and web adapted to be embedded in thepavement, a reticulated reinforcing member embedded in said body andextending thereacross, a reticulated reinforcing member embedded in saidweb and being transversely arranged with respect to the reinforcingmember in said body, with one edge thereof in close proximity to thereinforcing member in said body, and an anchor member opening extendingtransversely through said web and the reinsaid web and beingtransversely arranged with respect to the reinforcing member in saidbody, with one edge thereof in close proximity to the reinforcing memberin said body, and an anchor member opening e. tending transverselythrough said web .and the reinforcing member therein, intermediate theends of said web, the reinforcing member .a

in said body extending beyond the lateral edges thereof and thereinforcing member in the. said web extending beyond the lower edge ofsaid web.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, onthis 2nd day of April, A. D. 1928.

JAMES RAYMOND OBRIEN.

While the preferred forms of the invention have been herein shown anddescribed, it is to be understoodthat various changes'may be made in thedetails of construction and in the combination and arrangement of theseveral parts, within the scope of the claims, without departing fromthe spirit of this invention.

What is claimed as new is 1. A road marker embodying a readilycompressible rubber element embodying a body portion and a centrallydisposed depending web of a width considerably less than

